Community Comes Together Following Turkey-Syria Earthquake

By the 145th Executive Board

Below, please find a list provided by Instructor in History and drive organizer Aykut Kilinc of reputable organizations you can donate to in order to support rescue efforts and earthquake survivors. This is not an exhaustive list.

• International Rescue Committee

• Doctors Without Borders

• American Red Cross

On Feb. 6, a catastrophic earthquake struck Turkey’s southeastern city of Gaziantep near the border of Syria. The effects devastated both countries. With a magnitude of 7.8 — followed less than ten hours later by a 7.5-magnitude aftershock — and a current death toll that has surpassed 40,000 people, the Turkey-Syria earthquake is one of the world’s deadliest in decades.

The Academy responded by organizing a two-day drive for survivors this past weekend. Instructor in History Aykut Kilinc and Instructor in Modern Languages Diego Ardura spearheaded the campaign and will donate the collected items to the Turkish consulate in Boston.

“I woke up a week ago to this horrendous news of the earthquake. The first thing that selfishly came to my mind was, ‘Is it in Istanbul?’ That›s where my family lives,” Kilinc said.

“I initially thought maybe we should just find a way to encourage people to donate money,” Kilinc continued. “Then I had several conversations with our dorm head, Mr. Adura. He organized…an aid drive for survivors of the hurricane in Honduras….So he actually came up with the idea and then suggested that we should call the Turkish consulate in Boston and see if there may be some ways to have a drive in our community.”

Many students gathered to assist with the drive. Kilinc especially thanked upper volunteers Allegra Reza, Freya Busser, Sofia Novosad, and Avery Selig, as well as all Ewald dorm members, in particular seniors Maxwell Li, Jack Kugler, and Phil Avilova, uppers Jack Gordon and Michael Goodall, and lowers Andrew Piercey and Eric Li.

Reflecting on the drive, Kilinc said, “I think that it was important for our community to be a part of a collective effort. A lot of people came out, they brought a variety of things, and it was just so nice.”

Kilinc also applauded the kindness of the Exeter community. “Many people from the Academy and also around town came...and donated very nice clothing. There was a list of necessary items, essential items, and they›re not cheap. The people were just so generous. It was heartwarming.”